Published February 10, 2022 in Opinion - Trends in Immunology - Volume 43, issue 4, P283-295, April 01, 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2022.02.001

Subject covered by this article:
NAD⁺, as an emerging regulator of immune responses during viral infections, may be a promising therapeutic target for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this Opinion, we suggest that interventions that boost NAD⁺ levels might promote antiviral defense and suppress uncontrolled inflammation. We discuss the association between low NAD⁺ concentrations and risk factors for poor COVID-19 outcomes, including aging and common comorbidities. Mechanistically, we outline how viral infections can further deplete NAD⁺ and its roles in antiviral defense and inflammation. […] Finally, we explore ongoing approaches to boost NAD+ concentrations in the clinic to putatively increase antiviral responses while curtailing hyperinflammation.” (bold added)

Highlights:

• “…NAD⁺ can exert both antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects in mice and humans, which might be beneficial during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.” (bold added)
• “Compared with healthy individuals, NAD⁺ concentrations in tissues and organs are lower in older individuals and in patients with diseases associated with severe COVID-19 symptoms, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
• “Viral infections, including coronavirus infections, have been reported to further deplete cellular NAD⁺ stores.”
• “Many NAD⁺-dependent enzymes, including members of the sirtuin and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) families, display potent antiviral activities.”
• “Several NAD⁺-boosting compounds and molecules that target NAD⁺-producing or -consuming enzymes are in clinical development as putative anti-inflammatory or antiviral drugs.”

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